If you're one of the lucky few whom are about to enjoy a vacation to somewhere tropical and humid, then you'll need to pack a kaftan dress. Fashion designers from Christian Dior to Balenciaga have all showcased the kaftan in their collections at some point, so if you want to exude style and glamour while dressing in comfort, then this style of dress has your name written all over it.

What is a kaftan?

A kaftan is a style of dress that became popular in the late 1960s during the Bohemian and Hippie movement, when people began to take an interest in comfortable yet stylish clothing. However, the Islamic culture has been wearing a version of it for centuries.

This garment is distinguished by a loose and large rectangular piece of fabric of no particular length that has holes stitched with ample room for your neck and arms. The neckline of the kaftan can be any shape, but is most commonly V-neck. Available in a range of patterns, colours, and prints, a kaftan dress is a versatile yet simple garment that you can wear in a number of different ways to suit your body shape and style.

How to wear a kaftan dress

Many women shy away from wearing a kaftan dress, as it can be difficult to style. This is due to the fabric and shape being seemingly unforgiving and free-flowing. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. While a kaftan has been worn loosely-fit by celebrities while pregnant, including Beyonce and Jessica Simpson, this dress can also be worn belted and over a pair of jeans or plain leggings.

Wearing your kaftan also depends on the length. For floor-length, you can team with a pair of heels or dressy flats for a night out on the town. If it's thigh-high, you can get away with wearing it at the beach with a swimming suit underneath it. A hip-length kaftan dress can be worn in the office, provided you have a pair of fitted trousers with it.